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| | More questions for PM over Pincher claims | |  | | | | | | | | | There are fresh questions this morning about what Boris Johnson knew of allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" by MP Chris Pincher before he appointed him deputy chief whip in February. BBC News has been told the prime minister was made aware of a formal complaint while Mr Pincher was a Foreign Office minister, from July 2019 to February 2020. It triggered a disciplinary process that confirmed the MP's misconduct.
However, No 10 maintains the prime minister was unaware of any "specific allegations" being looked at. Mr Johnson was aware of “reports and speculation”, and knew of "allegations that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint”, his spokesman says. Mr Pincher apologised after the process concluded, BBC News has been told, but the Tamworth MP has yet to respond to our request for comment. He was suspended as a Conservative Party MP last week over allegations he groped two men at a private members' club in London. He quit as Tory deputy chief whip but has said he is seeking professional medical support and has no intention of quitting as an MP. In recent days, Mr Pincher has denied a series of new claims of inappropriate behaviour stretching back several years. | | | | | |
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| | Six killed after Independence Day shooting | | | | | | | | | For the second time in as many days, we bring news of a mass shooting - this time in the US - and on what should have been a day of celebration. Six people were killed and at least 24 injured at an Independence Day parade in the city of Highland Park, near Chicago. Using a high-powered rifle, the attacker had opened fire from a rooftop, just after the event got under way. "We went to have a nice family day out - and then suddenly all this gunfire happens," one witness tells us. Another speaks of hiding his son "in a dumpster", before going to find the rest of his family, who had scattered at the sound of gunshots. Police say suspect Robert E Crimo III, aged 22, was detained after a brief chase. Here's the full story. | | | | | |
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| | Cinemas ban suits over Minions trend | | | | | | | | | Young people wearing suits to the cinema? How very civilised, you might think. Not necessarily so. A trend on social media platform TikTok has been fuelling behaviour that might be described as despicable, at screenings of animation Minions: The Rise of Gru. Videos showing besuited youngsters copying the steepled fingers of supervillain Felonious Gru and cheering loudly have racked up millions of views under the hashtag #gentleminions. For many, it's nothing more than good-natured fun. But Guernsey's only cinema has cancelled screenings, blaming "stunningly bad behaviour" such as vandalism, throwing objects and abusing staff. The Regal Cinema in Wadebridge, Cornwall, has banned "unaccompanied children wearing suits". Elsewhere, a parent had to cover his son's shirt and tie with a jumper before he was allowed in. | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | In the space of just 10 days there have been dramatic changes in America. Major decisions that will shape everything from environmental policy to abortion rights have been announced - but not by the president or by Congress. It is the Supreme Court which currently exercises the power to really change peoples lives.
The Democrats may control the White House and both houses of Congress but they don't have enough votes to pass much of their political agenda. Instead, in a series of rulings that are as contentious as they are momentous, the Supreme Court is shaping the future of America - taking it in a very different direction from the one US President Joe Biden had envisaged. | | | | | | | | | | | | Sarah Smith | | North America editor | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | Papers continue to examine what Boris Johnson knew of past allegations of inappropriate behaviour against ex-deputy chief whip Chris Pincher. The Daily Mirror says the prime minister's wife, Carrie, questioned Mr Pincher's suitability for the whip in 2017, while she was a Tory communications director. "Cabinet angry at defending Johnson again," says the i, claiming ministers are unwilling to back the PM over his handling of claims against Mr Pincher. Meanwhile, unions have warned Parliament must act to stop "seemingly endless" allegations of sexual misconduct by MPs, the Guardian reports. See our round-up for other front pages focusing on the go-slow by fuel protesters that brought some motorways to a standstill. | | | | | |
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| | | | | Australia Floods put 50,000 on evacuation alert | | | | | | | Brexit No case for rejoining EU, says Starmer | | | | | | | Footballer Premier League player arrested on suspicion of rape | | | | | | | Climate Protesters glue themselves to Constable masterpiece | | | | | | |
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| | If you watch one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | If you listen to one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | If you read one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | Need something different? | | | | | | | | | When pop megastar Adele held aloft a Pride flag at her BST Hyde Park gig in London at the weekend, it wasn't entirely surprising. More than a million people had taken part in a march marking the 50th anniversary of the city's original event. The story of the flag itself - or rather, the man who lent it to the singer - is quite remarkable. Here's what happened.
Someone else who, like Adele, knows the power of lyricism is Joseph Coelho. The poet, known for his Luna Loves picture books and Fairy Tales Gone Bad, has just been named children's laureate. And he says he wants to "reclaim the term poet" to break down the fear associated with the art form. Read about his plans. | | | | | |
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| | | | | 1997 Dolly the Sheep, the first successfully cloned mammal, is revealed to the media. Watch how we reported the development. | | | | | | |
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| | | Let us know what you think of this newsletter by emailing bbcnewsdaily@bbc.co.uk. If you’d like to recommend it to a friend, forward this email. New subscribers can sign up here. | | | | | |
